There is a thread on this forum from 2008 regarding this same issue of broken cradle brackets (with many pics) that others have had with the older Trailex. Some modifications can be made to reinforce the bunk. I also have a Trailex (SUT 200) and have had no problems, though I don’t travel too far with it and have kept a close eye on the fittings.The Trailex: On one trip to Maine the metal piece supporting one of the “cradles” broke in half, leaving a sharp end very close to the hull which fortunately did not puncture it. I later read people saying that it’s more or less a glorified dolly not meant for long trips? Other than that, forever messing with the lights (standard for just about any trailer I suppose). But I mostly just feel that it doesn’t protect the boat from bouncing damage. Their double trailer (my brother has one) seems to do better.
2008 thread about (older?) Trailex trailers:
Problems with the Trailex SUT-200-S
I just sold an old style Trailex. The bunk supports bent going around curves. It's more a dolly than an open road trailer. VERY lightweight...good for toting around by hand but I didn't travel further than very local and under 40 mph. Would work fine for a Wal-Mart kayak etc.
I like the transverse spring idea, although the standard axle seems to start out bent.This is a pic (I believe) of Wavedancer's older Trailex SUT-200-S, the one with the crummy rubber molding suspension. It would be quite easy to retrofit this trailer with a transverse leaf suspension:
• remove the aluminum risers at the ends of the axle (marked with red "Xs").
• through-bolt the spring to the center of the crosspiece fender carrier.
• shackle the ends of the spring to the ends of the axle. The "stabilizer bars" in the picture help locate the axle and keep it at 90° to the center beam of the trailer. These look pretty wimpy, and should be replaced with heavier angle or tube stock.
Any spring shop could make a leaf spring of the correct length, camber, and weight rating for a trailer like this, plus provide the shackles to U bolt the spring to the axle.
I don't remember ever having inspected a Trailex trailer. It may be that the scantlings of the aluminum sections Trailex chose (plus the small wheels & tires) are just too lightweight & crappy to make a rebuild like this worthwhile.
This is a poor picture (from underneath) of an old transverse spring trailer showing how the spring is usually shackled to the end of the axle.